Pork Still Works for Most Voters
Public anger at government spending and the rising debt still seems to stop when proposed cuts hit close to home.
Yesterday, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced plans to cut thousands of jobs, reduce spending on contractors and close a military command to help reduce the deficit. Though relatively modest considering the size of the Pentagon budget -- $550 billion -- the moves were described in media reports as sweeping. And predictably, senators and congressmen vowed to block some of the proposals.
One of Gates’ ideas, for example, is to dismantle the U.S. Joint Forces Command, which is mostly based in southeastern Virginia. The state’s two Democratic senators -- Mark Warner and Jim Webb -- immediately protested, as did most of the state’s House delegation, including Republican Whip Eric Cantor. Virginia’s budget-cutting GOP governor, Bob McDonnell, set up a commission to fight for the facilities.
It’s an old story. Calls for fiscal restraint are popular in theory, but the devil is always in the details, especially when the details mean cuts in your own backyard. We saw it earlier this year when President Obama called for reduced NASA spending, and GOP Sen. Richard Shelby, who boasts of his deficit credentials, immediately moved to save facilities in his home state of Alabama. And we’re seeing it now with the Gates proposals.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
One reason is that’s what the voters want. They may rail against a Congress that keeps spending and spending, but they still want their pork. A Pew Research poll out earlier this month found that 53% of voters are more likely to vote for an incumbent who brings home the bacon, while only 12% are less likely to vote for him or her. Another 33% say it wouldn’t influence their vote.
Until those numbers turn around, Congress isn’t likely to make a real dent in spending.
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
-
13 Practical Strategies for Making Homeownership a Reality
If your dream of homeownership feels out of reach, these expert-recommended tips can bring you closer to realizing your goal.
By Kiplinger Advisor Collective Published
-
IRA vs. 401(k): Should You Pick One or Both?
An IRA or 401(k) can help you supercharge your retirement savings. We'll help you pick one or opt for both.
By Brandon Renfro Published
-
AI Regulation is Looming: Kiplinger Economic Forecasts
Economic Forecasts Find out what Washington and regulators have planned for artificial intelligence.
By John Miley Published
-
The Biden Tax Plan: How the Build Back Better Act Could Affect Your Tax Bill
Politics Depending on your income, the Build Back Better Act recently passed by the House could boost or cut your future tax bills.
By Rocky Mengle Published
-
Kiplinger's 2020 Election Forecast
Politics For nearly a century, The Kiplinger Letter has forecasted the outcome of presidential elections to keep readers informed of what's coming and what it means for them. Here's our call for 2020.
By The Kiplinger Washington Editors Published
-
The 2020 Election and Your Money
Politics We’ve assessed how the presidential candidates’ stances on financial issues will affect your wallet.
By the editors of Kiplinger's Personal Finance Published
-
5 HEROES Act Provisions with a Good Chance of Becoming Law
Politics The massive federal stimulus bill just passed by the House of Representatives is "dead on arrival" in the Senate. But a few proposals in the bill have enough bipartisan support to eventually become law.
By Rocky Mengle Published
-
Vote by Mail: A State-by-State Guide to Absentee Ballot Voting
Politics With health authorities recommending people continue to social distance, the idea of voting by mail is becoming an increasingly hot topic.
By Rivan V. Stinson Published
-
9 Ways COVID-19 Will Change the 2020 Elections
Politics The 2020 election will be like no other in history, as the COVID-19 pandemic will upend the business of politics as usual.
By Sean Lengell Published
-
How to Run for Local Office
Politics If you’ve ever thought that you could do a better job than the elected officials currently in office, here’s how to launch a campaign—and win.
By Kaitlin Pitsker Published